Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the Federal Housing Authority “Renewed Hope Estate”, along Uzuakoli–Ubani Road in Umuahia North LGA, reiterating his administration’s commitment to expanding access to affordable housing for residents of the state.
The project, a collaboration between the Abia State Government and the Federal Ministry of Housing, sits on a 100-hectare parcel of land provided by the state and is expected to deliver 1,200 housing units tailored to low, medium and high income earners.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, Governor Otti disclosed that the ongoing collaboration with the Federal Housing Authority began in 2024 when the FHA leadership approached the State Government for land, adding that the partnership would stimulate economic growth, create jobs and reduce crime across the state.
“I want to also underscore the point that while we are working on our own to provide affordable housing for our people, Managing Director /CEO FHA reached out to me and said, I want to come to your state. That was two years ago, 2024.
“And I said, please come. The request was for land and I said, consider it done.
“The important thing for us is the welfare of our people. And no matter what happens, our attention will continue to remain on the welfare of our people. That’s why we are here”, Governor Otti said.
He explained that the choice of location in Umuahia was informed by increasing housing pressure in the capital city which he said was driven by a surge in returnees and investors.
On land acquisition for the project, Governor Otti clarified that compensation was paid directly to families and individuals rather than communities, revealing that over 800 out of 900 claimants had been fully settled.
The Governor who emphasised that his administration does not commence projects without first resolving compensation issues, urged the100 remaining individuals yet to be paid to resolve issues with their bank accounts, noting that funds had already been set aside for all verified claimants.
“For us to authorise this groundbreaking, every genuine claimant has been paid”, Governor Otti said.
He commended the Managing Director of the FHA for his passion, integrity and strong endorsement of his administration’s strides in infrastructure and human capital development.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, in his remarks, commended Governor Otti for his visionary leadership, commitment to development and willingness to collaborate across political party lines for the benefit of the people.
Hon Ojo noted the remarkable transformation in Abia State’s infrastructure, particularly in Aba and Umuahia, describing the improvements as clear evidence of purposeful governance.
The FHA Boss further lauded the Governor for swiftly providing 100 hectares of land for the housing project, settling compensation and promising the necessary infrastructure to ensure the project’s success, stressing that such proactive support reflects genuine dedication to the welfare of Abians.
He explained that the housing project forms part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Housing Programme, aimed at delivering affordable homes to Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation.
In their goodwill messages, the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Chief Obi Aguocha and the Federal Commissioner representing Abia State at the Federal Character Commission, Chief Victor Ikeji, expressed appreciation to the President for approving the project.
They observed that Governor Otti, through purposeful leadership and people-oriented programmes, has effectively secured the confidence of Abians for a second term.
In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Lands, Mr Chaka Chukwumerije, and the Commissioner for Housing, Arch. Chiemela Uzoije, noted that the project, first conceived about 18 years ago, only became a reality under the administration of Governor Otti following the successful acquisition and handover of the land.
They added that the housing scheme would not only address the state’s housing deficit but also stimulate economic growth by creating direct and indirect jobs as well as open up new development corridors.
Speaking on behalf of the five Presidents-General of the host communities of Umuawa Alaocha, Umuire Ohuhu, Atta Ibeku, Emede Ibeku, and Umuda Ohuhu, Chief Ugochukwu Ibeh, thanked God for the opportunity to witness the commencement of the project and commended the Federal Government for its intervention in addressing the nation’s housing deficit.
